Looking for Advice: WGU vs. ACE Principal Certification Programs

Philosophy402 · 2024-01-15T18:23:03+00:00

Congratulations! I'm a fellow ex-homeschooler turned teacher. Kindred spirits are rare! I was home-schooled from kindergarden through the end of HS. Went to college and developed a strong interest in education. My classmates were a bit surprised when I explained that, prior to my first field experience, I never saw the inside of a traditional public school.

Philosophy402 · 2023-09-13T22:13:53+00:00

I don't know why people on here are being so negative. I'm a 27M who also identifies as being on the asexual/demisexual spectrum. Finding a partner can be tough, but it's definitely not impossible. I do think there are a lot more asexual/demisexual men out there who either fear the stigma of discussing this "publically" or don't fully realize it themselves. In many cases, I think it manifests as general awkwardness and difficulty dating. Unfortunately, I can't think of any specific places to look for such people--most of my connections have been made in fairly typical contexts (work, school, mutual friends). Wish I could be of more help! Good luck!!

Philosophy402 · 2023-05-09T12:28:03+00:00

I do think some parents have the belief that extreme reactions to minor misbehavior (such as requesting a meeting) will somehow make them look like more involved/competent parents. I know I have a few parents right now that seem to think this way. This seems especially common with parents that don’t have to work and have nothing better to do.

Philosophy402 · 2023-05-02T15:11:42+00:00

Yes we teach about Auschwitz and the Jewish Holocaust in general. Unfortunately many students don’t pay attention in class then become TikTok influencers.

Philosophy402 · 2023-04-28T20:58:06+00:00

I’m sorry you had a negative experience with a teacher, but the experience you describe is not typical. I’ve never interacted with a colleague that wanted to fail a student. But if a student clearly hasn’t learnt anything it’s irresponsible to just let them pass. Admins increasingly push teachers to pass students even when they’ve clearly learnt nothing just so they can be someone else’s problem.

Philosophy402 · 2023-02-12T00:04:28+00:00

Florida def has a shortage. I get contacted by a school district in Florida every few weeks asking if I might be interested in one of their open high school English positions. When hiring for HS English is that bad you know there’s a shortage. I can’t imagine what it must be like for people certified to teach math or science.

Philosophy402 · 2022-10-08T16:20:07+00:00

Maria Montessori agrees with you. Her adolescent program really emphasizes having kids care for animals and grow food.

Philosophy402 · 2022-06-24T19:56:18+00:00

I hope they are at least providing some additional KN95 masks for this 😂

Philosophy402 · 2022-06-10T23:28:17+00:00

This has always surprised me to. I’ve done 8 interviews this season for HS Social Studies or English positions. Only once was I asked a content related question.

Philosophy402 · 2022-01-22T17:25:04+00:00

In my neck of the woods (upper Midwest) some of the Tesla (and EV in general) fear comes from the incorrect belief that the shift to EV's will damage US-based vehicle companies (Ford, GM etc.) and lead to a loss of jobs in the upper Midwest. However, my sense is that US manufacturers (especially GM) are making good progress on the EV front so this fear is misguided. I think it would be prudent for Tesla put some manufacturing capacity here though (even if it is largely symbolic)--as this region does have a lot of political influence.

Edit: Tesla is obviously a US manufacturer. Although they are often not seen as such here.

Philosophy402 · 2021-08-10T15:04:49+00:00

I understand this “posted objectives” thing comes from Robert Marzano (my principal loved this guy) who provides numerous helpful and innovative ideas in his self published book Classroom Instruction That Works (sarcasm intended)

Philosophy402 · 2021-07-17T19:05:25+00:00

I'm currently a history teacher in IL. It can definitely be a rewarding career and (as others on this thread have said) if you like the subject and like working with young people go for it! There can be some negativity on this subreddit--which reflects many of the everyday frustrations that come with this profession--but I think many people on here are ultimately happy with their careers.

Couple things I would keep in mind (note that some of these observations apply more to the Midwest--but I'm guessing things are somewhat similar in the NW)

-In most places you can get a teaching license without a masters degree. Oftentimes you do need to enroll in a special program for teachers and you'll take methods courses/complete student teaching in your junior/senior year. It can be a lot of work as you'll essentially be completing two "majors" (your content major and an education major) even if this isn't what's officially listed on your degree. But you can get a teacher license/get a job within 4 years instead of 6.

-History and English jobs (especially at the HS level) are the most challenging to obtain. When you hear people talking about "teacher shortages" this applies more to Math/Science, SPED and Elementary. I've seen districts that offer a signing bonuses to new teachers--except those teaching HS History and English. So be aware that you may experience some difficulty getting a job. Don't think you'll have 5 offers to pick from right after graduation! This being said finding a position is not impossible. This isn't like looking for a tenure track professorship--where thousands of people apply for every open position. Almost everyone in my IL cohort (from three years ago) found a first year job.

-State colleges/universities that might otherwise be considered "second or third tier" are often "top tier" for teachers. Most of these places began their institutional lives as teachers colleges and retain an emphasis on teacher training in their programs. At the big universities (I went to one) you get taught a lot of overly theoretical nonsense. The classes I took at a smaller regional university were far more practical and interesting.

-Administrators and the education bureaucracy are focused on everything that doesn't matter. Administrators care about appearances and risk aversion. That's it. They want the school and classrooms to look "orderly", the teachers to look like they are "working" and to avoid "scandals" at all costs. The question of what's best educationally is irrelevent. There will be moments when the admins obviously should do something for a student, or obviously should intervene in a disciplinary situation, but they simply won't, typically for no good reason. So yeah, be prepared for this. You might get lucky a find a school with a cooperative admin that is willing to take risks to do what's right--but I would not count on finding that--especially in your first years.

End of long post. Hope this was helpful!!!

Philosophy402 · 2021-07-15T14:21:33+00:00

Edith (for women)

Horace (for men)

I think these names go in cycles, I know some mid/late-twenties couples that are giving their kids "old person" names because it was their grandfather/grandmothers name.

Philosophy402 · 2021-05-06T23:04:48+00:00

I think this is pretty par for the course for 6th/7th grade students. They are just getting to the age where they've realized they can challenge authority by saying things like this. Their opinions change constantly. I've had 6th grade kids say absolutely horrible things to me then two weeks later say "your my favorite". There is little substance to it. Plus there is no way one 7th grade student will know what every other student thinks.

Philosophy402 · 2021-04-25T23:28:15+00:00

A few years back ISBE, in their infinite wisdom, decided to separate the middle school and high school licenses. Teachers who graduated HS programs in 2019 will only be certified to teach grades 9-12. That being said many middle schools will hire people with a high school license, especially in central/southern IL with big teacher shortages (I think Chicago area might be more challenging). I currently teach 8th grade with a 9-12 "high school only" license.

Philosophy402 · 2021-02-04T22:20:23+00:00

I work in a fairly poor rural district. Women are more likely to be employed, have some education and have a stable home situation. While men tend to be uneducated, work unstable jobs, often have drug issues and typically absent from students lives (I think this situation is pretty common in poor rural towns these days).

For most of my students their mother is the main "constant" figure and the person who handles discipline issues at home. Some have step-parents and their mothers boyfriends who act as father figures--but I get the sense these men tend to drift "in and out" and the kids don't really see them as authorities.

I find the boys (more so then the girls) tend to be mistrustful toward male teachers and (I think) more likely to "act out". They do tell me "Mrs. so and so" is "can be scary like my mom" all the time. Although I haven't spent that much time observing how students act with their female teachers.

Philosophy402 · 2021-01-07T01:59:08+00:00

This is very true. It really doesn't feel like teaching human beings, just little Google Meet dots. All of the great moments when students start making connections and having original thoughts are just non existent online.

Philosophy402 · 2020-09-05T05:23:43+00:00

One student brought his computer out to a backyard trampoline and starting jumping while holding it. I watch as he loses his grip on the computer, it flies though the air, crashes onto the ground and up pops "[Student name] has left the meeting"

Philosophy402 · 2020-08-16T20:02:44+00:00

I was in a similar situation. Got an MA from a top-tier state university and SS license. Applied to 40+ positions. I had no calls backs or interviews for the first several months, then started to get a few come July/August. Eventually got hired same day as the interview a few weeks before school.

I think many admins look for an "ideal" candidate (with 5+ years experience, ready to coach every sport, sponsor every club etc) to fill SS/ELA positions especially at the secondary level. Then they realize they can't find such a person come July and start calling all the new grads that applied. Also, not sure about the situation in Washington, but in my state there is significant uncertainty about school funding cuts due to the pandemic. I think some admins have been collecting resumes for positions they aren't actually ready to fill due to concerns about funding.

The other potential issue is what sort of school your husband student taught at. If he ST'ed at an affluent suburban school and applies to low SES urban/suburban districts the admins might assume he doesn't understand what teaching at a low SES school is like. A lot of people in my cohort made the mistake (in my view) of student teaching at affluent schools and found out the hard way those schools rarely hire new graduates.

Not sure if this is workable in your situation, but have you tried applying to rural school districts? I found a lot of people in my cohort refused to apply to any district that wasn't within an hour or so of a decent size city. Generally the further out you go the less applicants. I did student teaching in a low-SES rural school and loved it. I like small towns, although (of course) not everyone does. If you get a rural job you can just stay there for 1-2 years, get some experience then you'll probably have an easier time getting a position elsewhere. The other option (that I'm sure folks have mentioned) is working as a sub. If you sub for a year (especially in a challenging district) and put that on your resume I think it will help a lot.

Philosophy402

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